Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has distanced himself from claims by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne that he was targeted by Rupert Murdoch's newspapers because he called for an inquiry into phone hacking.

Former Energy Secretary Huhne claimed the News of the World hired a private investigator to gain information about an extra-marital affair which ultimately led to the break-up of his marriage after he spoke out about hacking.

Speaking at his monthly Whitehall press conference, Mr Clegg - who emphasised the importance of newspapers holding public figures to account - said: "Chris has to speak for himself. All I can tell you is that is his opinion.

Former Cabinet minister and Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne faces the media on his release from prison May. Credit: Empics

Former Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has attacked "the Murdoch press" for its role in the speeding points swap scandal which led to the jailing of him and his ex-wife.

Writing in the Guardian newspaper, he admitted that "[his] own behaviour has not helped" but said he believes his calls for the Metropolitan Police to reopen their hacking investigation turned the editors of certain publications against him.

"The News of the World sparked the end of my marriage, but another Murdoch title, the Sunday Times, then groomed my ex-wife until she told them about the speeding points," he said.

The book, titled Prisonomics, will be published in early September but will not be a full memoir, Biteback Publishing said.

Pryce said: "I am pleased Biteback will again be publishing a book of mine. I kept a diary while in prison and I have some strong views on how the prison system works, especially with regard to how it treats women.

"I will use personal experience to back up my arguments but I must be clear that this book is more than a memoir - it will analyse how prison works, and should work, very much from an economic perspective."

Chris Huhne's former wife was released from jail after serving two months of an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Chris Huhne had to tell reporters to "calm down" as he arrived back at his London home amid chaotic scenes. In a short statement, he said after the humbling experience of prison he just wanted to get on with life.